MLB Awards Week: Celebrating Stars and Rising Talents

As Major League Baseball gears up for its much-anticipated Awards Week, excitement is in the air, especially with the Baseball Writers' Association of America announcing the Rookies of the Year. Now, it's time for us to weigh in on our selections for the prestigious Cy Young and MVP Awards, highlighting not just the obvious finalists, but also some deserving honorable mentions.

American League Rookie of the Year Candidates

1. Nick Kurtz, Athletics     Age: 22, 2025 Stats: 117 G, 489 PA, 36 HR, 2 SB, .290 AVG, .383 OBP, .619 SLG Kurtz has made a significant impact since his debut, positioning himself as a top player with compelling performances, including a historic game on July 25. His impressive statistics make him a clear choice for AL Rookie of the Year.

2. Jacob Wilson, Athletics     Age: 23, 2025 Stats: 125 G, 523 PA, 13 HR, 5 SB, .311 AVG, .355 OBP, .444 SLG Wilson displayed exceptional skills, drawing comparisons to Luis Arraez, thanks to his low strikeout rate and defensive capabilities.

3. Roman Anthony, Boston Red Sox     Age: 21, 2025 Stats: 71 G, 303 PA, 8 HR, 4 SB, .292 AVG, .396 OBP, .463 SLG Despite an injury towards the end of the season, Anthony's on-base skills and potential have made him a future superstar prospect.

National League Rookie of the Year Candidates

1. Drake Baldwin, Atlanta Braves     Age: 24, 2025 Stats: 124 G, 446 PA, 19 HR, 0 SB, .274 AVG, .341 OBP, .469 SLG Though the competition wasn't fierce, Baldwin’s notable offensive output and defensive contributions led him to be the top choice.

2. Cade Horton, Chicago Cubs     Age: 24, 2025 Stats: 23 G (22 GS), 118.0 IP, 95 H, 97 K, 2.67 ERA Horton proved to be the Cubs' standout pitcher, showcasing immense potential despite some areas for improvement.

3. Caleb Durbin, Milwaukee Brewers     Age: 25, 2025 Stats: 136 G, 506 PA, 11 HR, 18 SB, .256 AVG, .334 OBP, .387 SLG His ability to steal bases and solid defense earned him a spot among the finalists.

Cy Young Award Predictions

American League 1. Tarik Skubal, Detroit Tigers     Age: 28, 2025 Stats: 31 GS, 195.1 IP, 241 K, 2.21 ERA Skubal’s dominance on the mound makes him a prime candidate as he improves on previous seasons.

2. Garrett Crochet, Boston Red Sox     Age: 26, 2025 Stats: 32 GS, 205.1 IP, 255 K, 2.59 ERA Crochet's exceptional performance further solidifies his reputation this season.

3. Hunter Brown, Houston Astros     Age: 27, 2025 Stats: 31 GS, 185.1 IP, 206 K, 2.43 ERA Brown deserves recognition for a strong season, despite facing some regression.

National League 1. Paul Skenes, Pittsburgh Pirates     Age: 23, 2025 Stats: 32 GS, 187.2 IP, 216 K, 1.97 ERA With an impressive ERA and consistency, Skenes is undoubtedly a frontrunner.

2. Cristopher Sánchez, Philadelphia Phillies     Age: 28, 2025 Stats: 32 GS, 202.0 IP, 212 K, 2.50 ERA His outstanding WAR leadership makes him a top choice as well.

3. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Los Angeles Dodgers     Age: 27, 2025 Stats: 30 GS, 173.2 IP, 201 K, 2.49 ERA While his innings are lower, impactful stats give him a solid candidacy.

MVP Award Predictions

American League 1. Cal Raleigh, Seattle Mariners     Age: 28, 2025 Stats: 159 G, 60 HR, .247 AVG Raleigh’s massive contribution in terms of home runs while playing daily stands out for the Mariners.

2. Aaron Judge, New York Yankees     Age: 33, 2025 Stats: 152 G, 53 HR, .331 AVG Consistent excellence keeps Judge at the forefront of the MVP conversation.

3. José Ramírez, Cleveland Guardians     Age: 33, 2025 Stats: 158 G, 30 HR, 44 SB A perennial star, Ramírez’s performance keep him in contention each season.

As the final ballots are cast and award recipients are soon to be revealed, anticipation builds around who will take home MLB's most coveted honors this awards season.